BLENKER, Louis, soldier, b. in Worms, Hesse
Darmstadt, Germany, 31 July, 1812 ; d. in Rockland
co., N. Y., 31 Oct., 1863. In his youth he was
apprenticed to a jeweller, but on becoming of age
he enlisted in the Bavarian legion that was raised
to accompany Prince Otho, then recently elected
king, to Greece. When the legion was disbanded
in 1837, he received the rank of lieutenant. He
then returned home and began the study of medicine
in the University of Munich, but soon gave
this up to engage in the wine business in Worms.
In 1849 he was a leading member of the revolutionary
government in that city, and also burgomaster
and commander of the national guard. He
fought in several successful engagements with the
Prussians; but the revolutionists being soon
completely crushed, he retired into Switzerland. In
September, 1849, having been ordered to leave
that country,
he came to the
United States
and settled in
Rockland co., N.
Y., where he
undertook to
cultivate a farm.
Later he
engaged in
business in New
York, and so
continued until
the beginning
of the civil war,
when he organized
the 8th
regiment of New
York volunteers,
of which
he was
commissioned colonel,
31 May, 1861.
After some time spent in Washington his regiment
was incorporated with others into a brigade attached
to Col. Miles's 5th division in Gen. McDowell's army.
During the first battle of Bull Run this division
acted as a reserve, and covered the retreat with
great steadiness, recovering two Union colors left
on the field of battle by retreating soldiers. For
his services at that time he was commissioned
brigadier-general of the volunteers 9 Aug., 1861. He
remained with the Army of the Potomac until the
beginning of the peninsular campaign, when. he
was ordered to western Virginia. He took an
active
part in the battle of Cedar Keys, 8 June, 1862;
but after the arrival of Gen. Frémont he was
succeeded by Gen. Sigel. Gen. Blenker was then
ordered to Washington, and on 31 March 1863, was
mustered out of service. He returned to his farm
in Rockland co., where he remained until his
death, which resulted from internal injuries
received from a fall of his horse in entering the town
of Warrenton, Va.. while with his command.